The Evolutionary 2022 Lexus NX, Teased Ahead Of Its Digital Debut

Recently leaked was a teaser for the 2nd generation 2022 Lexus NX and it embellishes evolutionary stylings that drives the compact crossover into the future.

The all-new mid-size SUV was teased ahead of its official digital world debut, which will take place on June 12, 2021 and it has been predicted to go on sale later this year in October.

Overall, from the teaser it can be determined that the 2022 Lexus NX will be featuring an overhauled exterior design and interior design that is a step-up from its current outgoing model.

Taking a gander at the front end, the NX can be seen adorning an adaptation of the company’s familiar spindle grille, which gets flanked by slimmer, single-piece LED headlights with integrated daytime-running lights.

Flipping to the back end, it can be seen with a full-width three-piece lighting signature design that features slim LED taillights divided by an elevated LED light strip stretching across the width of the tailgate.

Also noteworthy, is the substitution of Lexus’ elliptical moniker located below the light bar with the new ‘LEXUS’ script that is fairly similar to the one featured on their LF-Z electrified concept car.

Panning along the side, it can be seen with a smooth unison all around surface with a rear silhouette design that is noticeably more sculpted than those of the current NX.

Transitioning inside, the changes applied are more significant, at which the current generation’s analogue-based instruments and tablet-style infotainment have been swapped with a large, fully-digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen dashboard integrated system.

On that note, the infamous and controversial touchpad infotainment controller has been revamped and the all-new infotainment system now incorporates touch functionality that features a fresh user interface and layout compared to most of the company’s recent models.

Plus, the new infotainment system now has controls over the fan speed and seat heating configurations but the physical dials for temperature control however, have been retained.

Apart from that, the interior also features a sleeker centre console arrangement, a large wireless charging pad located beneath the infotainment screen, a new steering wheel and a head-up display.

Moving on to the performance, the teaser also revealed that the 2022 Lexus NX crossover will sport at least two kinds of powertrains. A hybrid NX350h and a plug-in hybrid NX450h+.

Albeit the detailed specifications of the new NX are still unknown, it is expected to have the same underpinnings as the Toyota RAV4, which was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform.

Meaning, the NX450h+ plug-in hybrid trim should share the similar mechanicals as the RAV4 Prime trim that combines a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated mill, which has been paired to a set of electric motors with an output of about 225 kW.

However, for the NX350h hybrid trim, its badge indicates a step up in performance over the company’s outgoing 300h badged hybrid variants that harbours a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor, which has up to 160 kW of power output.

Therefore, chances for it to share the same powertrain with the larger Toyota Kluger that also rides on the TNGA-K platform could be a possibility.

In which, it sports a 2.5-litre hybrid system and depending on whether it rides on the front or all-wheel drive mode, it can manage a power output of up to 180 kW.

Evidently, although the leaked footage has been circulating the internet earlier than expected, Lexus is still rendering the final touches on the 2nd generation NX crossover and to catch it in its full glory won’t be a long time coming as its debut is looming just around the corner.